Sports team of the year

Winner Bath Rugby It has been a year to remember for BathRugby, which ended a decade-long wait for silverware with May'sEuropean Challenge Cup triumph. Playing a brand of enthrallingrugby, the Blue, Black and Whites challenged strongly for theGuinness Premiership title last season, finishing third, and arecurrently top, thanks to a series of thrilling victories.

RUNNERS-UP TeamBath FC Promoted to the second tier of non-league football for the first time in their nine-year history viathe Southern Premier Division play-offs and reached the firstround proper of the FA Cup for the third time in six years.

Larkhall Athletic FC Lost only three league matches in thecalendar year, missing out on promotion to Toolstation PremierDivision on goal difference last term. The Larks have blasted 73goals in only 18 league matches this season and this month reachedthe last 32 of the FA Vase for the first time.

Avonvale RFC After years of struggle, reeled off 18 wins out of18 to lift the Dorset & Wilts 3 West title in the spring and liesecond in the 2 North table this season. Vale suffered only oneleague defeat in the calendar year.

Bath Cricket Club 1st XI Regained the West of England PremierLeague title, their fifth regional championship in seven seasons,and were beaten only once in 18 matches to finish well clear of therest.

Bath City skittles team Won the coveted Blackthorn BritishSkittles Championship title at Sand Bay, Weston-super-Mare inSeptember.